As part of efforts to determine the prevalence of Gender Based Violence (GBV), bring about a transformational shift in the issues of GBV, promote the prevention of GBV across catholic communities, and foster a violence-free society, research assistants from selected parishes across the Catholic ADC of Lagos, embarked on a step-down training on GBV research.
The two days intensive training, which took place in ikeja on 6th and 7th May 2026, followed by days of field research and data collection work, was facilitated by a team from Caritas Nigeria Abuja in partnership with the Family and Human Life Unit (FHLU) of the Catholic ADC of Lagos, and sponsored by the Ford Foundation.
The goal of the training organizers say, was to strengthen participants’ capacity to effectively conduct ethical gender sensitive and methodological sound research on GBV using qualitative and quantitative approaches, with an objective to understand GBV and its implications, familiarize participants with the C.A.R.E project framework, and research expectations, amongst other goals.
The Ford Foundation is partnering with Caritas Nigeria to support the Catholic Action for Respect and Equality (CARE) project, a two-year initiative launched in 2025 aimed at combating gender-based violence (GBV). This partnership, Guided by the social teachings of the catholic church, utilizes Church structures across Nigerian dioceses to implement prevention strategies, conduct research, and provide support services.
According to the organizers, the intervention will be carried out in two dioceses in each of the nine provinces of the Catholic church in Nigeria. CARITAS Nigeria will be working with the family and human life unit to facilitate the course in Lagos.
Encouraging participants in the course of the training was Dame Mrs Itsueli Bridget, FHLU Coordinator, Catholic ADC of Lagos. She charged all participants to carry out the task effectively, as it will go a long way toward helping the church address GBV issues.
Over 8 topics, ranging from research methodology, data management, safety protocols in GBV research, and ethical research principles in GBV, among others, were taught, with the high point of the training being a practical demonstration of data collection using the KOBO COLLECT TOOL.
Over 2 dozen Participants, now fully equipped research assistants, have been deployed for the field work in the selected parishes in lagos with feedback expected in the course of the week.
Facts About GBV
Gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria is a widespread crisis, with one in three women aged 15-49 having experienced physical or sexual violence, and one in four girls experiencing sexual violence, according to UNICEF and EU-UN Spotlight Initiative data. Key issues include low reporting rates, high intimate partner violence (44% pool prevalence), and rampant harmful practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM), with many cases, particularly in the North East, linked to insurgency and conflict.
About FHLU
The Family and Human Life Unit (FHLU) of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos promotes, protects, and defends human life from conception to natural death while strengthening traditional family values and marriage. Based in Lagos, the unit fosters strong family communion, provides counseling, and supports pastoral care for the elderly.
About Caritas Nigeria
Caritas Nigeria (Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria – CCFN), headquartered in Abuja, is the specialized humanitarian and development agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). Founded in 2010, it works to improve health, reduce poverty, and respond to emergencies, serving over 15 million people nationwide, regardless of religion.
About the Ford Foundation
The Ford Foundation is a global, independent private foundation established in 1936 by Edsel Ford to reduce poverty and injustice, strengthen democratic values, and advance human achievement. It focuses on fighting inequality in all its forms, supporting social justice, human rights, and sustainable development worldwide.
…by Louisa Olaniyi
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